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Discover the Top 10 Products Most Exported from El Dorado Airport Cargo Terminal

Flowers, exotic fruits, seafood, aromatic herbs, seeds, and textiles are among the top 10 products most transported through the El Dorado Airport cargo terminal.

Bogota, May 2024. El Dorado’s data indicates that its cargo terminal is the largest and most modern in the country, handling nearly 700,000 tons annually out of the 924,000 tons transported nationwide each year.

These figures highlight the importance of this logistics hub and the excellent operation and management by Opain, making it a key facilitator for the development of national and international trade. El Dorado serves as a strategic connection point for the import and export of goods in Colombia and Latin America.

Below we present the Top 10:

10. Electronic Instruments and Devices

Various industries require a significant volume of electronic and electrical supplies for the development of cutting-edge solutions for companies and individuals worldwide. Through El Dorado, items such as electrical appliances, telecommunications and sound equipment, electrical conductors, measurement devices, and optical equipment were exported to destinations including the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, and Spain, totaling 1,230 tons in 2023.

9. Auto Parts

The mobility sector continues to demand high volumes of vehicles, resulting in El Dorado exporting around 1,260 tons of auto parts to factories of major automakers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, and Poland. The auto parts sector targets two main markets: vehicle assembly (cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles) and manufacturing of parts, pieces, and spare parts for vehicles.

8. Metalworking

Hand in hand with the construction and automotive industries, the metalworking sector presents a clear opportunity, offering significant potential to showcase the excellent quality and high diversification of Colombian products in this field. This translates into the sale of hardware items, manufacturers of tiles or girders, steel sheets or wire rods, and machinery distribution.

In 2023, El Dorado exported over 1,300 tons to destinations such as the United States, Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Panama.

7. Pharmaceutical

This sector includes products such as chemically synthesized medicines, biological medicines, biosimilars, biotechnological medicines, homeopathic medicines, and phytotherapeutic medicines for human use. Colombia is known for its highly skilled labor and highly technified industrial processes, making this sector one of the most promising for development due to the growing global demand.

In 2023, Colombia exported over 3,000 tons of pharmaceutical products, mainly to Canada, Spain, Panama, and Ecuador, the latter being the largest recipient.

6. Cosmetic and Hygiene Products

From the cargo terminal at El Dorado Airport, Colombia exports large quantities of cosmetic products, boosting its economy and solidifying its global presence. With significant figures, Colombia positions itself as a leader in the beauty industry, sending high-quality products to various international destinations such as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In 2023, over 5,200 tons of cosmetic products were exported from the terminal, bringing Colombian beauty to the world.

5. Textiles and Garments

Colombian textiles and garments also gained significant prominence in 2023 exports from El Dorado's cargo terminal. Local companies and designers are at the forefront of global trends, bringing diverse, high-quality local offerings to conquer new markets and audiences internationally.

More than 5,300 tons of items such as underwear, shapewear, swimwear, jeans, t-shirts, among others, and textiles like cotton, yarns, fabrics, manufactured fibers, and especially raw materials were shipped to countries like the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, and Spain.

4. Other Agricultural Products

Over 200 aromatic plants are cultivated in Colombian soil year-round, thanks to the country’s favorable climatic conditions, varied thermal floors, and microclimates. Production is primarily concentrated in the departments of Cundinamarca and Antioquia, as well as Tolima, where most basil crops are found due to its warm climate.

Colombia has ten highly sought-after herbs abroad: basil, thyme, rosemary, chives, mint, tarragon, oregano, dill, marjoram, and sage. Approximately 11,000 tons of these herbs were exported from El Dorado’s cargo terminal to the United States, Canada, and several European countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and South Korea during 2023.

3. Fresh and Processed Fruits and Vegetables

According to ProColombia, the country is the ninth-largest supplier of exotic fruits in the world. In 2023, the most exported fruits from El Dorado’s cargo terminal were Hass avocados, gulupa, cape gooseberry, lulo, papaya, tamarillo, granadilla, passion fruit, pitaya, and curuba, mostly grown in temperate climates.

Nearly 11,500 tons were exported in 2023, mainly to countries like the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, and Poland.

2. Seafood

Another highly transported product through the cargo terminal last year was seafood, with approximately 17,000 tons of imports and exports. Highlighted foods include salmon, tilapia, and crab, which are rapidly produced across the country.

1. Flowers

Colombia has more than 50 species and 1,600 varieties of flowers, produced on nearly 10,000 hectares. The main producing departments are Cundinamarca (71%) and Antioquia (27%), with additional producers in the western region (2%).

Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day contribute to 30% of Colombian flower exports. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, based on Asocolflores data, more than 700 million stems were shipped abroad on February 14th, mainly to the United States, the primary export destination. The most requested flowers include roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, alstroemerias, hydrangeas, and lilies.

Throughout the year, El Dorado handles nearly 300,000 tons of various types of flowers.